Adopted or contested? Examining Israel’s strategic narratives in German media

This article explores the dynamics of adopting and contesting strategic narratives, focusing on how German media received Israel’s narratives during the early stages of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The authors propose that states that maintain ‘special relationships’ should be inclined to adopt their allies’ strategic narratives during crises to stabilize and reinforce their sense of ontological security. Through a qualitative content analysis of leading German newspapers, the study assesses how Israel’s narratives were received and contextualized in Germany. Contrary to the widely held perception of uncritical discourse in German mainstream media, they find significant variation in narrative adoption. Narratives aligned with shared historical trauma, such as Holocaust remembrance and the protection of Jewish minorities, were accepted without contestation while, in contrast, the narratives emphasizing Israel’s democratic character and security concerns required Israel’s proactive international engagement, such as its attempt to mediate the conflict, in order to gain adoption. The study suggests that strategic narratives resonate more effectively when they align with the audience’s ontological security concerns and shared historical experiences. By exploring this case, the article contributes to understanding why states adopt allies’ strategic narratives and highlights the role of historical and relational contexts in shaping foreign policy.